James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

269. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the removal of the ban on guided tours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32566/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the current COVID-19 Regulations, taking account of public health advice, indoor guided tours are not permitted. However, in line with the provisions for small outdoor events, outdoor guided tours are permitted for up to 15 participants (not including those present in a professional capacity – e.g. the tour guide).

The Government is due to meet later this month to decide on the next phases in the easing of restrictions, subject to the evolving public health situation and continued good progress in the vaccination programme. I am hopeful for the safe resumption of indoor guided tours in July along with the planned resumption of organised indoor events, subject to maintaining progress with the virus.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

270. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of holding the test concert in the Iveagh Gardens on 11 June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32604/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The first pilot event, in a series of events to roll out over June and July, was curated by the National Concert Hall and saw James Vincent McMorrow and Sorcha Richardson perform in the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin.

The OPW partnered with my Department and the NCH to deliver this concert and there was no charge for the use of the Iveagh Gardens as this was a Government approved pilot event. My Department will provide a grant to the NCH to cover the costs of the pilot events over and above the ticket receipts. I am happy that the grant provided for much needed employment for the crews and artists involved. Details of costs are currently being finalised and I expect it to be in the region of €130,000.

The feedback from the audience, artists and crews working at the Iveagh Gardens event was very positive given that it was the first live music event of any scale in 15 months. As it was the first event the numbers were intentionally small to help us review event management protocols and we will build on capacities as we move through the summer in a safe and controlled manner. I will continue to keep these matters under review as the pilots progress and as public health guidance evolves.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

271. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the Office of Public Works provided the use of the Iveagh Gardens to the National Concert Hall for free; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32605/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The first pilot event, in a series of events to roll out over June and July, was curated by the National Concert Hall and saw James Vincent McMorrow and Sorcha Richardson, perform in the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin. The OPW partnered with my Department and the NCH to deliver this concert and there was no charge for the use of the Iveagh Gardens as this was a Government approved pilot event.

The feedback from the audience, artists and crews working at the Iveagh Gardens event was very positive given that it was the first live music event of any scale in 15 months. As it was the first event the numbers were intentionally small to help us review event management protocols and we will build on capacities as we move through the summer in a safe and controlled manner. I will continue to keep these matters under review as the pilots progress and as public health guidance evolves.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

272. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of HSE public health staff who worked at the test concert in the Iveagh Gardens on 11 June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32606/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the recent Government decision to prepare for the safe reopening of live cultural, sporting and entertainment events, my Department has prepared a programme of pilot live events for June and July. This broad programme includes sporting, cultural and live entertainment events, both indoors and outdoors. These pilot events will allow for sports, arts, culture and entertainment organisations to test necessary control and other measures in venues across a range of settings and have been designed to inform the safe reopening of these sectors. They will be subject to ongoing review including with respect to the prevailing public health situation.

As part of the preparations for the events, my Department has worked and continues to work with representative bodies and stakeholders from the culture, sport and live event sectors on the programme of events.

The events are being organised with venue operators and promotors who are submitting Event Management Plans to my Department which are reviewed by Health and Safety consultants. There was no requirement to have HSE staff at the Iveagh Gardens concert. I will continue to keep these matters under review as the pilots progress and as public health guidance evolves.